Air India Flight 171 a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport killing 260 people including 241 of the 242 onboard and 19 on the ground. The London-bound flight’s catastrophic plunge into a medical college hostel sent shockwaves through India and the global aviation industry.
On July 11 India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) released a preliminary report pointing to a stunning cause: the fuel supply to both engines was cut off mid-flight. This revelation has sparked intense debate about pilot actions mechanical issues and even sabotage. As of July 12 3:51 PM ET the investigation is ongoing but the findings are already reshaping the narrative around one of the deadliest aviation disasters in a decade.
The Tragedy of Air India Flight 171
Flight AI171 took off at 1:39 PM IST (4:09 AM ET) on June 12 2025 carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members including 169 Indian nationals 53 Britons seven Portuguese and one Canadian. Among them was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Piloted by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal with 15600 flight hours and First Officer Clive Kunder with 3400 hours the Boeing 787 reached 650 feet before issuing a mayday call signaling a loss of power and thrust.
Seconds later it crashed into the BJ Medical College hostel causing multiple explosions and a fire reaching 1500°C. Only one passenger a 40-year-old British-Indian in seat 11A survived escaping through a detached emergency exit. The crash killed 19 on the ground including medical students and left 67 injured. I felt a chill reading about the sole survivor’s escape—it’s a miracle amid such devastation.
Preliminary Report: Fuel Cutoff Shocker
The AAIB’s preliminary report released July 11 revealed a critical detail: the fuel control switches for both engines moved from RUN to CUTOFF one second apart starving the engines of fuel. The switches located behind the throttle levers in the cockpit are protected by a metal bar and locking mechanism to prevent accidental movement. Yet data from the black boxes—49 hours of flight data and two hours of cockpit audio—showed this occurred just as the plane reached 180 knots.
A chilling cockpit voice recording captured one pilot asking why the other cut the fuel with the response I didn’t do it. The switches were flipped back to RUN but the engines were still powering up when the crash occurred. This finding rules out mechanical failure or design flaws in the Boeing 787 or its GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines shifting focus to human factors or potential sabotage.
Investigating the Cause
The AAIB backed by experts from Boeing GE the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and UK investigators is probing why the switches moved. The black boxes recovered on June 13 and 16 from a rooftop and debris were analyzed in Delhi with data accessed by June 25. The report notes the Ram Air Turbine (RAT) an emergency power source deployed during the climb indicating a power loss.
A 2018 FAA bulletin warned that similar fuel switches in Boeing 737s had disengaged locking features but Air India’s maintenance records showed no issues since throttle replacements in 2019 and 2023. Aviation expert John Cox told Reuters a pilot couldn’t accidentally bump the switches suggesting intentional or procedural error. Simulations by Air India pilots ruled out landing gear or flap issues strengthening the focus on fuel cutoff. I’ve read about complex crash probes before and this one’s layers—human error mechanical checks sabotage—make it a puzzle.
Sabotage Angle and Public Outcry
India’s Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol confirmed on June 29 that sabotage is being investigated a rare admission for such a high-profile case.
The minister called it a rare case noting dual engine shutdowns are nearly unheard of. The lack of transparency—only one press conference was held and no questions taken—fueled criticism with some posts alleging a government cover-up. Families of victims are reportedly planning a class-action lawsuit against Air India Boeing and others per a report signaling growing distrust.
I have seen how lack of clarity breeds speculation and the sabotage angle has gripped public imagination.
The Victims and Human Toll
The crash claimed 260 lives including 241 onboard and 19 on the ground with 67 injured mostly medical students. Victims ranged from a tea seller’s son Akash Patni to British couple Shailesh and Nehal Parmar who lost their son in a 2022 crash. Sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi in their 20s were returning to London after surprising their grandmother while Ketan Shah a Dorset shop owner was visiting his sick father.
The sole survivor Vishwash Kumar Ramesh told he heard a loud noise 5-10 seconds after takeoff before the plane felt stuck and crashed. His escape via an emergency exit was captured on video. The intense heat hindered DNA identification but all victims were identified by June 28. Reading about the victims stories hit hard—it’s a reminder of the lives behind the headlines.
Air India and Boeings Response
Air India under Tata Group ownership since 2022 cut international wide-body flights by 15% until mid-July for enhanced safety checks. Inspections of 26 of its 33 Boeing 787s found no major issues and the crashed plane a 12-year-old model had a clean history with a new engine installed in March 2025. Chairman N Chandrasekaran emphasized both engines had no reported faults.
Boeing’s CEO Kelly Ortberg deferred to the AAIB aligning with UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) protocols. The crash the first fatal incident for the 787 Dreamliner in 16 years dented Boeing’s stock by 7% on June 12. Air India vowed support for victims’ families posting about their solidarity.
I have followed airline turnarounds and this crash is a setback for Air India’s ambitions to rival global hubs like Dubai.
Investigation Challenges and Next Steps
The probe faced delays with black box data taking two weeks to download raising questions about efficiency. India initially barred a UN ICAO investigator but later granted observer status. The preliminary report factual per ICAO guidelines avoids assigning blame but confirms no mechanical issues leaving pilot actions under scrutiny. A full report due within three months will dive deeper into whether the fuel cutoff was accidental intentional or externally triggered.
A New York Times analysis of videos showed the takeoff was routine but the landing gear failed to retract fully and the RAT deployed suggesting a sudden power loss. A Parliament committee will discuss aviation safety and fee regulation on July 12 with the crash a key focus.
I have seen complex investigations take time but the public’s demand for answers is palpable.
Why This Matters for Aviation Industry
The crash the deadliest since the 2015 Germanwings disaster challenges India’s aviation growth plans. With 1200 Boeing 787s worldwide this is the first fatal crash for the model raising global stakes. The fuel cutoff finding shifts focus from Boeing’s design to human factors or sabotage impacting how airlines train pilots and secure cockpits.
Peoples on social media are split—some demand accountability others speculate about conspiracies. India’s aviation regulator ordered checks on all 787s and Air India’s fleet is under scrutiny.
For travelers like me who fly often this news shakes confidence but also underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols.